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Lowrance HDS7 GPS Help

Question

I've had my new unit out 3 times now and it doesn't seem to stay locked to satellites. I have the internal GPS with no physical obstructions overhead.

If anchored, it briefly shows the speed at .1-.5mph which is fine. But then just random numbers start flashing. If I then move spots, the GPS clearly isn't working as it's not showing a speed or creating a trail. Then at times it seems to be working fine while moving, then just stops showing a speed or trail.

The sonar seeems to work fine.

Should this unit work for the most part straight out of the box? Are there settings I neeed to adjust? I've gone through the manual and troubleshooting which hasn't helped. There are no other electronics or sonars on in the boat other than lights and this unit.

I figured I'd start here before calling Lowrance. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

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So is it ridiclous if you spend over $1000 on a product and it doesn't work out of the box or is it just me? So now I have to go spend another $30-40 to get an SD/MMC card reader and card so I can download the upgrades, just so my brand new product will perform correctly.

Anybody have any thoughts or experience with internal vs. external GPS?

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you can buy an adapter that makes a SD card into a "thumb" drive for like 7 bucks at wally world. A small SD card, 512 MB or 1G should cost less than 5 bucks. You can borrow one from someone. You only need it for like 30 minutes. Yes, they probably should have put a usb port on the unit so you could plug it in to your computer, but they didn't so far as I know. So you will have to deal with it.

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So is it ridiclous if you spend over $1000 on a product and it doesn't work out of the box or is it just me? So now I have to go spend another $30-40 to get an SD/MMC card reader and card so I can download the upgrades, just so my brand new product will perform correctly.

Anybody have any thoughts or experience with internal vs. external GPS?

I have my HDS connected in a network with an external puck. It automatically works off the best gps signal. Seems like 1/2 the time it's using the puck and 1/2 the time it's using the internal antenna in the HDS.

When Lowrance announced the HDS units they also announced that there would be software updates soon to follow. The majority of the HDS updates have been to correct problems with Navionics, not with the HDS itself. It really shouldn't be a surprise. Software updates are not uncommon, they are a fact of life with any kind of electronics -- for example my windows software and antivirus software check for updates every day, my HP stuff checks for updates once a month, etc.

Your dealer or whoever you got your HDS from should help you with the updates if you need help. We do it all the time for free for our customers. If you need help you can contact me at the info below.

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If you'd like snatcher, I have the update on an SD card. I could mail it to you and you could either send it back when you're done or send me a blank SD card. Doing it that way, you wouldn't have to buy the card reader, just plug the chip into your unit and turn it on.

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Turns out my unit came with the May 15 update so all I need is the June update. But.....

I bought a card and reader. However the HDS doesn't seem to take the update, which is clearly on the card. Does an install screen appear on the HDS because nothing happens? Is the install quick? I'm giving it 15-20 minutes and there is no sign anything is happening. The version never changes after following the steps on the software download page.

I can go to file and it recognizes the chip but nothing happens. It reads the Lakemaster card fine.

I guess it's back to the extemely helpful and timely Lowrance Customer Service tomorrow morning. It was odd when I talked to them today and she was very quick to offer an RA# when I said the GPS wasn't working.

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Power up your unit with a clear view of the sky. Press Menu twice. Select System, then Satellites. You should now see the satellite status screen. This will tell you how many satellites the unit is currently seeing and the relative strength of their signals. If your unit is powered up for a few minutes and you don't have satellites locked up, then your antenna is likely bad and you will definitely have to send your unit back to Lowrance.

One thing I've noticed is that the internal antenna's on these new HDS units are much improved over anything Lowrance has had in the past. You can shade the unit with your arm and the signal strength does not diminish.

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I have a HDS-5 and when following Lowrance's directions on how to load the new version of software into the unit it does not appear to work. The new version is on a SD card and when I place it in and turn the unit on the unit starts up like usual. Then I can go into the screen to show which version I have and that still shows the current version that was installed at the factory. Any info would be appreciated.

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I recommend that you download the update file directly to your computer, don't use the java installer to put the update on the SD card. Once the file is on your computer, run it to install on the SD card. I've had nothing but problems using the web installer.

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I recommend that you download the update file directly to your computer, don't use the java installer to put the update on the SD card. Once the file is on your computer, run it to install on the SD card. I've had nothing but problems using the web installer.

Good advice. Also, do a quick format on your card to wipe it clean before you download the update files to it.

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I concur, I download to computer, use an inexpensive USB SD card reaer writer and upload it to SD card, works perfect. By the way I am not a computer expert by any means. Never had a SD card other then Lakemaster before.

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well i tried your suggestions and all works up to the point to where i place the loaded 2G SD card into the unit and it does not download. I placed the navionics chip in the unit and a message came across stating that navionics software is not ready yet until lowrance creates the software. Thanks for the replies though.

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If I understand this correctly, the new Lowrance HD's already have updates to correct errors on the latest models. I get to do soft and hard resets on my 334c at least monthly. I thought the new models would have had this corrected. Good luck getting your new unit working right. I know it can be frustating.

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Problem fixed!! I was saving the download to my SD card instead of running it to the card. Should have read the earlier post more closely. Anyways, thanks for the info. Now I can use this up at Pelican in Orr this coming week.

Yes. But on a post framed building the only think I ever see is a thickened footing and not a foundation to the frost line. A major benefit of post framing is that you install the posts below the frost line so the need for a concrete foundation below the frost line is not needed. If I am understanding the question correctly.

I think they’re more looking at the footings requirement, aren’t they? Thus the reason for getting the poles below the frost line?
Its the township’s responsibility to figure this out and you have the right to ask them to cite the code they’re following.
I used to live in Isanti County and dealt with a building inspector from my township on the construction of my detached garage. Things weren’t very strict to say the least.
We built everything by the current UBC code, so I’d suggest first getting a copy of the current version of that since this building will actually be your home. Don’t take unnecessary shortcuts to save a few bucks up front. You’ll eventually regret it.
Reading your plans for the slab, it sounds pretty good. There are plenty of slab homes out there built the way you describe. What you don’t want is movement.
I’m not an expert by any means but I think footings on your slab wouldn’t be a bad idea and sinking your poles that deep should be a requirement. If you don’t do footings, at least pour your slab thicker on the perimeter to hold it better.
Your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) can be more restrictive than code, but not less. So if it’s defined in the UBC, you have to do at least that much.

I’ve personally been on both sides of this.
Used to love getting as much air as possible over driveways but I never understood gunning it on the other side after crossing. I guess some are just mild adrenaline junkies.
I quit doing that for one, because it’s illegal, and two, not safe if the homeowner happens to be leaving or getting the mail at the time.
Now that I have a posted trail going over my driveway, I find it just rude, obnoxious and irritating to deal with 4 wheelers and sleds gunning it over the gravel and making ruts and eroding my base to the point of it being an expense to either plow and pack the class 5 back in place or spend the money to pave it. I hate having to bounce over two ruts with my trailers and whatever I’m hauling in them too.
I think that’s the worst part for me. Either jump it or be mellow on the throttle the entire way over.
I’ve seen trail groomers go around driveways before, making me wonder if that truly is a requirement or they were simply being courteous. But I agree with knoppers, they should not drag over the driveway. Maybe they think they’re taking the snow off for ya. Call the people responsible for the trail and ask them for suggestions.

some people are bad apples that give the sport a bad name, I as a snowmobiler have respect for driveways. FYI driveway approaches are on the public right of way, you may not block them, or place anything that can injure someone. trail groomers actually do you a favor by knocking down the bank, to keep it level. unless your groomer was not well trained, they will not groom over your driveway.

Perfect that awnsers my question. Why spend $250 when I could spend $150 on a new lazer bit and cuts faster, it’s more durable but still about same weight and a chipper but. Really a no brainer. What are you seeing for drilling time with that 8 inch lazer?